Application of telescopes and thermal imaging products in fire emergency
1. In fire emergency work, it is crucial to quickly and accurately locate the source of fire, search and rescue trapped people, and evaluate the disaster site. Traditional optical telescopes and modern thermal imaging technology (infrared thermal imagers) play an irreplaceable role in the field of firefighting. This article will explore the application of these two types of equipment in scenarios such as fire rescue, forest fire prevention, and hazardous chemical accident handling, and analyze their technical advantages and development trends.
2. Core needs in fire emergency
The main challenges faced by firefighters and emergency command centers at disaster sites include:
Fire source positioning: quickly discover hidden fire points (such as smoldering, electrical fires).
Search and rescue: find trapped people in thick smoke, darkness or complex environments.
Environmental monitoring: identify high temperature dangerous areas (such as gas leaks, chemical reactions).
Long-distance reconnaissance: evaluate large-scale fires (such as forest fires, high-rise building fires).
Traditional naked eye observation is difficult to meet these needs, and telescopes and thermal imaging equipment can provide key technical support.
3. Application of telescopes in fire emergency
1. High-magnification observation and fire assessment
Application scenarios:
Forest fire monitoring: Lookout towers are equipped with high-magnification telescopes (such as 20-60x) to detect fires early.
High-rise building fires: Observe the direction of fire spread from a long distance to assist in command and decision-making.
Technical features:
Telephoto lenses (such as objective lenses above 80mm) provide a clear view.
Shockproof and waterproof design (such as nitrogen-filled seals) adapt to harsh environments.
2. Search and rescue assistance
During the daytime or in open areas with high visibility, telescopes can be used to:
Locate trapped people (such as balconies and windows calling for help).
Observe structural damage to buildings (such as cracks in exterior walls, collapse risks).
3. Limitations
Depends on light: limited effect at night or in thick smoke.
Unable to penetrate obstructions: such as smoke, walls, etc.
4. The core role of thermal imaging technology in fire emergency
Thermal imagers generate images by detecting infrared radiation (heat) emitted by objects, which are not affected by light and smoke, and have become the "perspective eyes" of modern firefighting.
1. Fire source detection and hidden fire investigation
Electrical fire: discover hidden dangers such as overheated circuits and sockets.
Smoldering fire points: identify potential fire sources in walls and ceilings.
Remnant fires of forest fires: prevent re-ignition.
2. Personnel search and rescue (smoke/dark environment)
Advantages of thermal imaging:
Penetrating thick smoke, locating trapped people by the temperature difference between human body temperature (36-37°C) and ambient temperature.
Applicable to complex scenes such as collapsed buildings and underground spaces.
Case:
In the Notre Dame fire in Paris in 2019, firefighters used thermal imagers to find the remaining fire points in the church.
3. Handling of dangerous chemical accidents
Detection of leaked liquefied gas and flammable liquids (temperature abnormality areas).
Prevent firefighters from approaching high-temperature explosives (such as oil tanks and chemical raw materials).
4. Technology classification
Type Features Applicable scenarios
Handheld thermal imagers are portable, real-time imaging of indoor fires, search and rescue in narrow spaces
Helmet-mounted thermal imagers free hands, integrated fire helmets allow frontline firefighters to rush into the fire scene
UAV thermal imaging scans a wide range, high-altitude forest fire and petrochemical park monitoring
V. Collaborative application of telescopes and thermal imaging
Forest fire prevention:
Telescope (lookout tower) early warning → UAV thermal imaging confirms the fire point → Fire brigade accurately puts out fires.
High-rise building fire:
Thermal imaging locates trapped people → Telescope observes the safety of external structures → Develops rescue routes.
Chemical plant accidents:
Thermal imaging identifies the source of the leak → Long-distance telescope monitors the spread range → Demarcates the evacuation area.
VI. Technology development trends
Intelligent integration:
AI fire analysis (automatically marks high-temperature points and predicts the spread path).
5G real-time image transmission, remote monitoring by the command center.
Lightweight and multifunctional:
Telescope + thermal imaging two-in-one device (such as the FLIR Scout TK series).
UAV integration:
Firefighting drones equipped with thermal imaging realize the integration of "aerial reconnaissance + firefighting".
VII. Conclusion
Telescopes are still valuable in good light and long-distance observation, but are limited by environmental conditions.
Thermal imaging technology has become the core equipment of modern firefighting with its ability to penetrate smoke and darkness.
Future direction: Multi-sensor fusion (visible light + infrared + laser ranging), intelligent command system, to further improve rescue efficiency and safety.